Modern research materials allow them to discover new possibilities.This means that significantly expand the main applications.For example, in agriculture there are hundreds of different fertilizers, crop plants can help in the growth of vegetation and fruiting.Just one of these is the Chilean nitrate, which was opened in the XVIII century.
names Synonyms
Interestingly, for one substance is sometimes characterized by the whole series of different names.After all, some people are at home, while others come from the field, others are a source of rational chemical nomenclature of compounds.
It happened with the subject matter.Chilean nitrate has the following synonyms for the title:
- sodium nitrate;
- sodium nitrate;
- soda nitrate;
- sodium nitrate;
- nitronatrit.
Each of them represents any information on this matter.For example, sodium nitrate, the composition of said compound, and hence, shows what will chemical formula nitrate.The same information give us some other synonyms.The word "Chile" uniquely describes the main sources of this mineral deposit.
Chemical formula nitrate
elemental composition of matter characterized by the following components: a sodium atom, a nitrogen atom and three oxygen atoms.Therefore, we can conclude that both a chemical point of view would look Chilean nitrate.The formula will be recorded as NaNO3.The percentage of the qualitative composition will be expressed as follows: 26/16/58% respectively.
Crystal structure of the molecular lattice of sodium nitrate is trigonal rhombohedrons.The oxygen atoms are closely grouped around the central nitrogen, keeping near him polar covalent interactions.Thereby forming a single ion NO3-, which is called an acidic residue.Thus in the outer sphere is positively charged sodium cation Na +.Therefore, between the oppositely charged particles, a strong electrostatic attraction.The result is an ionic bond.
type crystal is similar to that of feldspar (calcite).Therefore, such a structure has not only the Chilean nitrate.The chemical formula represents just two types of chemical bonds in the molecule:
- polar covalent;
- ion.
also clearly seen the order of atomic bonds in a molecule, so the formula is easy to calculate the valence and oxidation state of the atoms and ions.
class of chemical compounds
Among inorganic compounds there is great variety.Therefore, all of them can be divided into classes according to exhibit the properties and characteristics of composition and molecular structure.
no exception Chilean nitrate.Formula NaNO3 shows that the compound - a typical nitric acid salt.Sodium, which consists of a cation of an alkali metal and an acidic residue one of the most powerful oxidizing agents.
Thus, we can uniquely determine which refers Chilean nitrate - a class of inorganic salts medium.
physical properties
According to the parameters of the substance in question can be characterized as follows.
- colorless, sometimes yellowish, reddish or gray shade crystalline substance.
- crystals are long, needle-like structures.
- odor.
- tastes unpleasant, much salty stuff.
- melting temperature is 308 ° C.
- If heated over 380 ° C, then, like all nitrate Chilean nitrate decomposes to the metal nitrite and oxygen.
- soluble in water is good enough (at 100 ° C 176 grams of salt, at 0 ° C for about 77 grams).
- also sufficiently well dissolved in the ammonia and hydrazine and organic solvents such as ethanol, methanol or pyridine solubility decreases sharply.
- At a certain treatment is becoming explosive, but to use nitrate as such is difficult because of too good hygroscopic.
Considering the last parameter, sodium nitrate stored in tightly sealed plastic bags, do not absorb moisture.It is also possible to find nitrate in dark glass jars with ground glass stoppers.The main condition - the fence from excessive light, temperature and humidity of the environment.If all conditions are met, the substance retains crispness and dryness, the crystals are small.
chemical properties
As we have seen earlier, the Chilean nitrate - a class of inorganic compounds called salts.The chemical properties will be determined by this particular feature.
- Shows oxidative capacity in cooperation with non-metals (sulfur, carbon).Reactions tested by heating the mixture.
- decomposes at temperatures above 380 ° C.
- reacts according to the type of exchange with other metal salts, if the reaction is observed generally Berthollet (released gas or precipitate formed malodissotsiiruemoe substance).
That chemical properties largely explain the features of the use of sodium nitrate.
Production industry
There are several ways, which may result in the formation of sodium nitrate.
- Direct interaction of alkali solution with an oxidizing agent (nitric acid).The result is a substitution reaction, forms nitrate nitrogen gas is released, nitrogen oxides II and I, water.
- reaction between sodium oxide and nitric acid.It turns sodium nitrate and water.
- Interaction soda or sodium hydroxide with nitrogen oxides I and II (a mixture of nitrous gas is known).
- exchange interaction between calcium nitrate and sodium sulfate.The result is a poorly soluble precipitate calcium sulfate and nitrate solution.
- Another laboratory method - reaction between ammonium nitrate and baking soda or lye.
- also used in laboratory method - the interaction of the exchange mechanism between silver nitrate (commonly lapis) and ordinary rock salt, that is sodium chloride.
- industrial process or method used in mining - is the leaching and subsequent crystallization of the fields, which is held by the countercurrent method.
Today - it's all the ways in which it is possible to obtain a sufficient amount of sodium nitrate.
mining and mine
main deposits of the substance in question:
- Chile;
- southwest Africa;
- California.
Other places are not so rich for the content of the connection.The most large-scale export deliveries of raw materials has always engaged Chileans.This is the reason one of the names of sodium nitrate.
Chilean nitrate is a source of nitrogen for plants, as historically constituted its main field of application - agriculture, where it acts as a fertilizer.
Applications
the first time about this wonder drug fertilization became known in 1825.However, if nitrate is not found a buyer and I have remained forgotten.Five years later, it was used to help power plants for the first time and marveled at the results.Since then, consumption of fertilizers became a mass.By 1870 it reached 150 thousand tons per year!
Today, agriculture is not the only area in which the necessary Chilean nitrate.The application has considerably expanded its borders.
- as preserving of meat and sausage products in the food industry.
- Raw materials for the production of black powder and other explosives.
- Metal industry.
- Manufacturing heat storage compositions.
- in the manufacture of glass.
- To produce a mixture of saltpeter - salt of the refrigerant nature.
- in rocket fuel.
- in pyrotechnic products.
It is obvious that the application of sodium nitrate are extensive enough.Moreover, a long time it has remained virtually the only source for the synthesis of nitric acid.Today, for these purposes, it is no longer used, since acid is produced by alternative synthetic routes.
